Dix commits to support agriculture, local economies

Dix said an NDP government would make an annual investment of $8 million in programs to develop local markets and promote stability for BC growers. It would also take measures to grow BC’s award-winning craft distillery industry.

“The BC Liberals have all but abandoned BC’s agriculture industry. No province provides less support to food producers than BC,” said Dix. “British Columbians have a choice between more of the same Liberal neglect, or change for the better for BC’s food producers, like Okanagan fruit growers.”

Dix said that an NDP government would replace the BC Liberals’ piecemeal approach with a coordinated plan to support our agricultural sector, featuring three signature programs.

“Feed BC will put healthy, locally-grown food on the plates for patients in BC hospitals and long-term care to improve diets and health outcomes,” said Dix. “Feed BC will expand the market for local food, helping producers thrive and boosting local economies.”

Dix also announced Grow BC, a plan to promote food security and sustained local production. A key component of Grow BC will be an initiative to support growers with replanting and renewing their orchards. It will also provide organic and conventional farmers with more direct support through extension services.

“Our agricultural program,” said Dix, “will bring back Buy BC a successful and widely-supported marketing program to promote BC-grown food that was eliminated by the BC Liberals.”

Consistent with Dix’s commitment to show how we will pay for our commitments, the announcement made today is fully costed in the BC NDP’s fiscal plan.

The costs are $8 million in 2014-15, and $8 million in 2015-16.

Total new spending announced to date in the NDP platform is $202 million in 2013-14, $550 million in 2014-15, and $679 million in 2015-16

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior